DAMMAM: A memorandum of understanding providing for a technical and vocational training program for Saudi engineers and other professionals in the energy sector was formally signed Wednesday between General Electric (GE) and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) during the grand inauguration of the SR1 billion GE Energy Manufacturing Center at the Dammam Second Industrial City. The five-year MOU was signed by Dr. Ali Bin Nasser Al-Ghafis, Governor of TVTC, and John Krenicki, GE Vice Chairman. “The joint training program supports the national Saudization goals, and aims to train up to 100 Saudi professional engineers annually to further support the Kingdom's expanding energy sector,” Krenickisaid after signing the agreement. The first batch of the 100 Saudi engineers, who were selected from leading technical colleges across the Kingdom, graduated this month. All were offered the opportunity to join GE's energy business at the GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Center, according to Krenichi. Al-Ghafis said the agreement with GE reflects TVTC's strategy of building partnership with the private sector to implement programs that will help meet the Kingdom's need for trained professionals and technicians. “In addition to supporting Saudization goals, the MOU demonstrates the importance of working with leading global companies such as GE as we work towards implementing our country's Vision 2020 initiative to boost domestic manufacturing as well as exports,” Al-Grafis said. GE has expanded its energy presence in the Kingdom through public-private partnerships for the nearly 80 years of its experience in Saudi Arabia. The company has over 800 employees in the Kingdom, providing service repair support and customer training centers in power, water and oil and gas.
